NEDERLAND, Texas – The Coast Guard Captain of the Port of Port Arthur reopened a section of the Neches River Thursday near the Sunoco Partners facility in Nederland.

The waterway was closed Wednesday night from light 28 to Sun Anchorage. Vessels transiting the area are limited to minimum wake and no passing in the affected area. Vessel Traffic Service Port Arthur reported five vessels were waiting to go outbound and three waiting to come inbound at 2:20 p.m. Thursday.

Approximately 460 gallons of Number 2 marine fuel spilled into the river during vessel fueling at the Sunoco Partners facility Wednesday at 8:24 p.m. Absorbent boom was deployed to contain the fuel after the incident.

Skimmers are working to recover product in the water. The Coast Guard encourages recreational marine traffic to stay clear of the area until the waterway is reopened.

Texas General Land Office, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Jefferson County Emergency Management, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Coast Guard are working together to mitigate the situation and ensure that it is handled in a timely manner.